10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Backyard Just in Time for the Warmer Weather

As the weather begins to warm up (fingers crossed!), now’s the time to start brainstorming easy makeovers and DIY projects for the backyard. Armed with a bit of creativity and elbow grease, you can turn your property into an outdoor oasis.

Tranquil garden with a wood deck, greenery wall, wicker coffee table and a pizza oven with a river stone base

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Pizza Party

If you’re excited by the idea of baking your own made-to-order margarita ‘za in the comfort of your backyard (and really, who isn’t?), building a DIY pizza oven is in order.

A gorgeous garden filled with plants and flower growing up around a stunning wood pergola over a large wicker outdoor couch covered with a red and white cushions and a glass topped coffee table

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Pretty Pergola

Putting up a stunning pergola may seem a bit too advanced for those of us who don’t hold a carpentry ticket. But before you despair, visit your local hardware store – there are DIY kits and special brackets designed to make it totally doable.

An exterior deck painted in at the back of a blue house painted in BEHR Rainy Season MQ5-27 with white trim and pergola painted in BEHR Ultra Pure White with two wooden tables surrounded by deck chairs

Behr: Rainy Season MQ5-27 + Ultra Pure White

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All the Trimmings

If painting the exterior of the entire house feels like a bigger project than you’re prepared to take on, you can still make a stylish statement by giving the trim and outdoor details a refresh. With just a couple coats of fade-resisting BEHR MARQUEE® Exterior Paint & Primer in BEHR Ultra Pure White on the rails and BEHR Rainy Season MQ5-27 on the siding, this outdoor sanctuary feels instantly lighter and brighter.

Detail of vertical garden with eatable herbs and vegetables

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Where’s Wall-Grow

Planting an herb wall not only adds greenery to a back patio, it also gives you access to fresh flavours for summertime meals (oh hello, burrata, tomato and basil salad!). And if you don’t have a green thumb, there’s nothing stopping you from installing faux herbs instead.

Pink patio floor tiles feature on a revamped back deck with a white built in bench covered in colourful cushions designed by Tiffany Pratt for HGTV

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Totally Floored

When searching for ways to revamp a tired patio space with paint, look down. Brushing a fun paint colour onto wooden patio floor tiles or stencilling a geometric pattern onto a cement slab are just two ways brighten up a backyard.

A black fire pit filled with logs surrounded by four black lawn chairs and a black and white blanket spread on the grass with two pillows as featured on Home to Win on HGTV

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Fireside Fun

When you don’t want those long summer days to end, a firepit keeps the party going. Whether you choose a ready-to-use bowl or make your own custom pit with stacked pavers or granite boulders, make sure the seating is at a safe distance.

Beautiful wooden deck lit up at night with a large wicker couch and coffee table covered in lit candles surrounded by mature plants

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Light Up Your Life

We all know lighting is key to creating the perfect atmosphere indoors. Well, the same rules apply outdoors. Having a mix of permanent, wired lighting and more movable string lights and seasonal lanterns will give it just the right glow.

Two sets of barefoot dancing feet on a deck featuring BEHR PREMIUM Solid Colour Waterproofing Stain & Sealer in Redwood Naturaltone

Behr: BEHR PREMIUM Solid Colour Waterproofing Stain &...

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All Feet on Deck

When looking for a quick backyard refresh idea, restaining a deck or patio packs a serious backyard-design punch. Look for a deck stain that’s designed to stand up against the elements, such as BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Colour Waterproofing Stain & Sealer in Redwood Naturaltone, which will protect your wood deck for up to 10 years.

An above ground hot tub on a wooden deck below a modern grey house with a spiral staircase

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Hot Tub Time Machine

As ’90s fashions make a comeback (hello, belly tops and bucket hats!), we’re also seeing the resurrection of an iconic backyard staple from the same era – the aboveground hot tub.

Related: 55 Beautiful Backyard Ideas

Beautiful backyard water feature with river stones, green grasses and a waterfall

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Moment of Zen

Let’s be honest, we could all use a little more tranquility in our lives these days. So why not create a special spot in your own back yard where the trickling sounds of a water could foster that sense of peace?